Prosperity for US Foundation pushes direct democracy overhaul in new white paper

Prosperity for US Foundation released a white paper Tuesday warning that new state restrictions are limiting citizen initiatives and referendums. The report also calls for digital petition signatures and a state-by-state campaign to expand direct democracy rights.

Why it matters: - The white paper argues that state-level limits on initiatives and referendums could weaken Americans' ability to petition government directly. - The report frames direct democracy as a counterweight to political polarization and gridlock. - The authors say modernizing petition rules could lower costs and expand access for voters who face barriers to traditional signature gathering.

What happened: - Prosperity for US Foundation released "The Battle for Direct Democracy in America" on Aug. 13, 2026. - The paper was authored by Prosperity for US Foundation Chairman David Biddulph, University of Colorado professor emeritus Barry W. Poulson and Executive Director Bob Carlstrom. - The foundation says the report warns that efforts in states across the country to restrict initiatives and referendums threaten petition rights.

The details: - Twenty-six states currently allow citizens some form of initiative and/or referendum, and 18 allow citizens to initiate petitions. - More than 100 bills were introduced in more than 15 states in 2026 that would limit the initiative and referendum process. - The proposed restrictions include higher voting thresholds for constitutional amendments, legislative authority to alter petitions, wet-signature mandates, shorter petitioning windows and geographic requirements. - The white paper cites Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, as an example of a citizen initiative that limited government revenue and spending. - The report says digital signatures could replace wet signatures with verified and authenticated electronic signatures. - The authors say digital signatures are already widely used in private-sector transactions and have been recognized in law for decades. - The paper says modernizing petition rules could reduce verification and security costs while making participation easier for disabled Americans and military personnel. - The analysis says the cost of collecting a petition could fall from about $15 per petition to less than $2 with digital signatures. - The analysis also says a petition campaign in a medium-sized state could fall from more than $3 million to less than $1 million. - The authors point to Switzerland as an example of a country using digital signatures to expand participation in direct democracy. - The foundation says its state-by-state campaign will focus on limiting annual property-tax increases, capping government revenue and spending growth, requiring voter approval for new or higher taxes and fees, protecting property rights and establishing an absolute right for citizens to initiate state constitutional amendment petitions without legislative approval. - The foundation says it has a voter outreach database with 184 million contacts and a communications infrastructure for voter education and state partnerships. - The foundation also plans to use verified and authenticated electronic signatures in petition campaigns. - The full white paper is available here.

Between the lines: - The report is as much a political organizing blueprint as a policy argument. - By pairing legal reforms with digital tools, Prosperity for US Foundation is signaling a broader campaign to make petition drives cheaper, faster and easier to qualify. - The emphasis on property taxes, spending caps and voter approval for new taxes suggests the group is targeting fiscal policy fights where direct democracy can be most effective.

What's next: - Prosperity for US Foundation says it will pursue state-by-state reforms and work with state-based organizations. - The group plans to use its digital outreach infrastructure and electronic signature tools in upcoming petition campaigns. - The authors say the goal is to strengthen direct democracy and restore balance between citizens and government as polarization continues.